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Announcements & Highlights

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Homegrown Healthy | Dixon | A free gardening course!

Homegrown Healthy is a 10‑week program designed to give you the confidence, skills, and inspiration to cultivate your own vegetables and enjoy new foods made from garden produce. Learn how to start and maintain your own vegetable garden, get an introduction to hydroponic growing systems, taste delicious dishes made with fresh garden ingredients, build skills week by week in a supportive, hands‑on environment, and more. The program will take place on Wednesdays, 10:00–11:00 AM, starting May 27 in Dillon Mall, at Sauk Valley Community College. No class July 1. (We’ll begin indoors, then head out to the garden together.) Please plan to attend the full series to get the most out of the experience. Funded by the CDC ACTion Grant. Registration deadline: May 22.

Follow our new Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Facebook page today!

Grow, learn, and give back with Illinois Extension in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties. Master Gardeners support community gardens and share research‑based gardening knowledge, while Master Naturalists help restore and protect local natural areas. This page will let you know the latest programming, workshops, and educational material in our communities.
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3 in-person sessions left!

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4-H U: Dream. Plan. Do. | Belvidere

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Not sure what's next after high school? Let's figure it out together. For youth entering grades 9-12. 4-H U: Dream. Plan. Do. is a hands-on experience focused on exploring future options, connecting interests to real careers, building life and budgeting skills, and getting help with college applications, scholarships, interviewing, and FAFSA. Youth will meet local professionals and gain confidence as they plan their next steps after high school. Sessions are held at the Boone County Extension Office (Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Court, Suite 5, Belvidere, IL 61008) from 9–11 am on May 16, July 25, and September 19. Cost is $5 per session. 

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You do not need to be in 4-H to participate—reserve your spot today!
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Registration is required.
News Releases
Corn growing in field
Talking Crop Podcast
The Talking Crop podcast is back for its third season. Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator, Kathryn Seebruck, Talking Crop is a row crop production podcast, with episodes occurring...
Two youth holding a ribbon
4-H Fair Public Speaking Presentations winners
OREGON, Ill.— This year’s 4-H Public Presentations Contest was held Saturday, February 28, at the Oregon Church of God. Thank you to Julie Merdian for sponsoring the Public Presentations award.Top of Class Formal Speech –Beginner (aged 8-13) ........................................

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings